Thursday, January 14, 2021

Just Older

The results of Renn’s medical tests came back on Monday, but, while certainly not less important than the trapping of the feral kittens, they were less immediate. They are not very bad results, but neither are they cheerful. My big boy is feeling the effects of age faster than he should.


His kidneys are degenerating. They are not suffering more than a cat’s usually do as he grows older; they are on the border of stage two kidney disease. Renn’s doctor is “not terribly worried” about the situation. I am not, either, just sad that my dependable fellow is going to be more dependent himself from now on.


The kidney issues are added to his dental problems - which, admittedly, will be diminished tremendously, if temporarily - soon, his arthritis and a possible case of asthma. The latter will be examined more closely when Renn goes for his dental; the doctor condoned my decision to have Renn’s lungs x-rayed at that time.


There are greater problems that could afflict a cat. Renn may have another decade ahead of him, after all. I feel sad at all his problems, rather then feel that they represent a tragic turn in his life. Except for the spectre of asthma, he is encountering nothing that most cats come up against in their later years. I simply feel that at barely fourteen, he is still too young to have them thrust at him, especially all at once. He sleeps more than previously; he leaps on to the bottom step of a staircase, rather than up to the bed in one bound; he coughs frequently. But he is still eating (as much as his slender appetite has ever demanded), playing (albeit more statically than once had been the case), and enjoying his chest-rubs. He is the first to lie at my side at bed-time, and still loves the tub being filled with water for my baths. Short of breath and achy he may be from time to time. But he is still my big boy. Just older.




24 comments:

  1. It's so sad when we notice that our beloved cats are aging. We'd like them to remain kittens. Two of my cats are "geriatric" - Danni who is 15 and Alex who is 14. But the best we can do is love them and appreciate the time we have with them.

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  2. Renn is such a handsome fellow. It is sad when cats, like people, develop the usual problems associated with aging, but here's hoping he has many more happy years ahead.

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  3. Aw, Renn....We wish they all would be 100% healthy and active for so much longer. I see the changes in Derry, and I will not be surprised if his next check up (not till the spring, I hope) indicates issues. That will make me sad too.

    I hope Renn's health issues can all be dealt with easily enough, and that he has many more years with you. ❤️🙏

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  4. It is sad when we realise they are aging, but at least you know what his health issues are and can monitor and treat accordingly. I hope he has many more years with you.

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  5. Purraying for Renn. Our Angel Jasmine managed her kidney disease so well for years with sub Q fluids and Scruffy Paws Kidney vitalize chews.
    Purrs & Head Bonks,
    Alberto

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  6. ending love and purrayers to Renn. Our Angel Jasmine managed her kidney disease so well for years with Sub Q fluids and Kidney Vitalize chews from Scruffy Paws.
    Purrs & Head Bonks,
    Alberto

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    Replies
    1. It may come to sub-cutaneous fluids for Renn. I struggled giving them to two other of my cats - my late Cammie and my Josie - and both were adamantly opposed to them...

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  7. Did the vet suggest a kidney diet? If not, maybe you could ask about it.

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    1. She did, and I will try it, but Renn eats very little as it is, and always has.

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  8. Aging is tough. Our Zoe lived 8 years with Stage 2 kidney disease so keep on keeping on Renn!

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  9. Here's hoping that Renn has many, many more years of purring in his future!

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  10. I feel the same with miss pops, she is 14 too and slowing down.

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  11. Ah! Bless him..that awful word that we
    all have to put up with..Age! :).

    Never mind, he's looking good there in
    his bed..and another decade..that's good,
    "Onwards and Upwards Renn"..!x

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  12. Purrs for Renn - getting old ain't for wimps.

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  13. Renn, your Dad is like the rest of us here. We cherish our time with our cats. And we watch over our charges like the precious beings they are.

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  14. A lot to contemplate at one time about Renn.
    He looks handsome in the photos and I hope he does have
    a comfortable old age.

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  15. Seeing our pets get old is so sad. By reading the comments I see that many of your readers had success dealing with kidney disease. Hope and pray that Renn has success too!

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  16. Such a handsome boy! I'm sure you'll do everything you can to ensure his health is as good as it can be.

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  17. dood....we R sorree, yet at de same time, glad, glad in that dad catched de kidnee izzue now... inn sted oh when it wooda been like lotz werst. we noe ewe will give it yur all and if it helpz, cuzin boomer lived two pluz yeerz after bee in diagnozed at stage 3... ♥♥♥♥♥

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  18. Cheers to Renn and many more years. My Marley is seeming a bit arthritic at 11. He jumped for my lap yesterday and didn't get off his back feet. He did grab the chair with his claws, pulled himself up, and sat happy on my lap for an hour.

    We treasure the years, many or fewer.

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    1. Eleven is pretty young for arthritis, the poor guy. Has he been checked for diabetes? One of its signs is weakness in the hind quarters.

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  19. Purring for dear Renn. We alll hate the effects of aging.

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  20. It sure is tough watching our furry family members get older. Our Gracie, who just passed away in December, lived to 20 with CKD and arthritis. She really slowed down at the end, but lived for many years with those conditions. Purrs and prayers for your beloved Renn.

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  21. Our dear solid ones. Those who are the stalwarts of the group age also and it is difficult to hear the words that describe its physical toll. Renn is such a good looking fellow and seems very content living with you all. We hope he has many years to come to enjoy this quiet contentment.

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